Diana was the Roman goddess of hunting, wild nature, birth, moon and protector of chastity. She was the daughter of Jupiter (Zeus) and Latona (Leto), and the sister of Apollo and Athena. Diana was often depicted with a bow and arrow and a deer, her favorite animal. She always wanted to remain a virgin and was the protector of chastity.

Diana was originally an Italic (Sabine) moon goddess, whose being was closely linked to that of Janus. The Roman Diana was identified with the Greek goddess Artemis, and all the attributes and myths of Artemis were transferred to Diana in Latin literature. She was the patron goddess of the plebeians and also of the slaves. On the Aventine, the seat of the plebs, a famous temple had been built by Servius Tullius where she was worshipped as the patron goddess of the Latin league of cities.